Fire Marshal Warns Of

Carbon Monoxide Dangers

By Andrew Gorosko

In view of recent cold winter weather and the need to keep heating equipment running, Fire Marshal Bill Halstead is providing advice on how residents can stay safe from potentially lethal carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

The highly poisonous gas is caused by incomplete combustion.

CO is a colorless, odorless, and invisible gas. Its presence can cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and breathing problems. Early symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, nausea, unclear thinking, shortness of breath, weakness, and loss of muscle control. These symptoms often mimic the flu, leading to misdiagnosis by both patient and physician. Severe symptoms can include convulsions and unconsciousness, which can lead to death.

CO replaces oxygen in the blood. CO thus interferes with the transport of oxygen that is needed by the cells of the body, according to the state Department of Public Health (DPH).

Mr Halstead urges that residents install CO detectors that meet the current standards of Underwriters Laboratories.

The more steadily that furnaces run in cold weather, the more likely it is that there will be cases of CO poisoning. That is especially true if those furnaces have not been properly maintained.

Potential sources of CO are fuel-burning appliances including furnaces, water heaters, and stoves. All types of fuel may emit CO, including kerosene, heating oil, coal, natural gas, propane gas, and wood, according to the fire marshal.

Charcoal grills should never be used indoors and never be used in an enclosed spaces such as tents, garages, vehicles, or sheds. Grills that contain live coals should never be brought indoors after use. Charcoal grills should never be used as a heat source.

Mr Halstead urges that residents have a annual professional inspection of their homes’ fuel-burning appliances. All potential sources of CO should be checked for possible CO leakage. Adequate ventilation should be provided.

Vents should be checked for birds’ nests and for the presence of animals and insects.

Chimneys, flues, or vents that are blocked by creosote or by debris may be CO sources. Also, loose or disconnected high-temperature plastic vents which are either separated or are cracked can pose CO hazards.

Also, residents should be careful that the outdoor emergency generators that they use during power outages do not send their potentially lethal exhaust fumes into the homes which those generators are powering.

The DPH recommends some steps that people may take if they suspect that there is CO in their home.

 People should leave their homes immediately and then call 911, or call the Connecticut Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 from a cellphone or from a neighbor’s house. The DPH recommends that the’resident then call the local fire department to test for the presence of CO, or call their fuel supplier or their licensed heating contractor for an emergency inspection.

The fire marshal has provided some Internet addresses where residents can obtain information on CO poisoning and prevention.

They are:

*State Department of Public Health at www.ct.gov/dph

*Connecticut Poison Control Center at http://poisoncontrol.uchc.edu

*US Consumer Product Safety Commission at www.cpsc.gov

*Underwriters Laboratories, Inc at www.ul.com